Hoping to do less cooking in your RV but still have delicious, healthy food? Then you’re definitely going to want to consider setting up an RV outdoor kitchen. No need to make a mess in your camper or rely on easy, unhealthy food while your camping- just take the cooking outside!
While being able to cook inside can be enormously helpful on rainy days or during the cooler months, being able to enjoy the great outdoors is one of the main reasons people choose RV’s.
After all, being able to cook and eat outside is a fun part of camping!
Many campgrounds are situated in beautiful locations so it’s easy to see why people want to enjoy the nature around them, experiencing the countryside for themselves.
Enjoying the wonders of the great outdoors, however, does not mean that you have to rough it.
There are many different gadgets, accessories, and dining options that will appeal to those that still seek out comfort and luxury wherever they go.
No need to sit on hard, collapsible chairs or use a disposable grill (or a rusty park grill that hasn’t been used or cleaned in years!) in the hope that you can cook everything before the charcoal runs out.
Now you can enjoy the outdoor camping lifestyle without sacrificing comfort!
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Essential Products For Your RV Outdoor Kitchen
Ready to DIY your outdoor RV kitchen setup? Here are a few things you’re definitely going to want to include!
Portable Grill
A portable grill is a must for the grill expert as well as the beginner.
At one time, there may have been one or two options available however, today you will discover a wealth of outdoor grills to choose from!
Whether you are after a simple BBQ grill that could also be turned into a burner afterward in order to stay warm and perhaps toast a marshmallow or two on the open flame, a grill that can fold down into a small portable BBQ, or an outdoor kitchen setup that boasts a gourmet cooking experience, there are now several options out there.
So regardless of whether you are a novice or a master chef, there is a portable grill suitable for your skills and outdoor cooking needs.
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Folding Tables
Folding tables are great for sitting down to eat, using as counter or prep space, or even taking to the beach (depending on which kind of table you choose).
No longer do outdoor tables need to be bulky, heavy, and difficult to pack up and take with you!
Many products now fold down into easy-to-carry packs that are also simple to construct.
After all, no one needs an argument over putting a table together just before lunch is served.
(Especially if you’re already irritated with each other from backing into your campsite!)
Some portable tables even come with their very own drinks holders included!
Cast Iron Pans
For those that love camping and want to cook in the great outdoors, having pots and pans that are safe to use both inside your RV and over the fire is a must!
If you’re creating an outdoor kitchen for your RV don’t forget to put cast iron pans on your list.
They are sturdy, safe to use, and incredibly versatile!
Plus, as long as they are properly cared for, these pans can last a lifetime (literally!).
Small Refrigerator
So, I know that you probably have a fridge inside your RV, but have you ever thought about bringing along a small refrigerator?
Wouldn’t it be handy to have the food you are going to grill close so you don’t have to go in and out of the camper?
Or maybe keeping your condiments in your outdoor RV kitchen would make more room in the indoor refrigerator and make them more accessible when you’re eating at the picnic table.
Or even better yet, you could keep ice cold beer (or other beverages) outside so they’re readily available for grilling, relaxing, or sitting by the campfire!
If any of that sounds good, you may want to consider a mini-fridge.
Sturdy Utensils
What RV outdoor kitchen would be complete without the proper utensils?
I mean, in order to grill properly, you really need a set of heavy duty utensils.
If you’re looking for a complete grilling utensil kit, this stainless steel set comes with everything!
It is complete with thermometer, corkscrew, grill mat, skewers, and even stainless steel drinking straws!
Best of all, it can all be packed away nicely into its own case.
Coffee Pot
Being at one with nature and enjoying the perks of having an outdoor kitchen means that while it is still peaceful outside, before the day has really started, it is the perfect time of day to enjoy a good cup of coffee and the peaceful surroundings.
Personally, I feel that there is no better taste than a freshly brewed cup of coffee!
And with a stainless steel percolator you can start your quiet morning with the perfect cup of coffee.
Bonus- this coffee pot has a lifetime replacement guarantee!
Not into percolator coffee pots? You could try this stainless steel French press (we have both and love them)!
Garbage and Recycle Bins
When camping in an RV, space is at a premium and the last thing you want to do is carry have large bins outside or have smaller garbage cans and have trash spilling over.
Recycling and using products that have less packaging is of course extremely important, but if you aren’t quite to the point of being able to have zero waste on your camping trip, collapsible bins are a popular option.
You can still do your part for the environment and save space all at the same time.
Mesh Food Covers
There is nothing worse when it comes to outdoor cooking and eating than flies and bugs.
Imagine, you are about to take a bite of a beautifully cooked, tasty looking burger only to see a pesky fly land on it and sit there enjoying it for itself.
A great way to prevent sharing your food with bugs and other critters is to use mesh covers!
These covers are cute, handy, and fold up like a tiny umbrella for easy storage.
Spice Rack and Paper Towel Holder
Just because you have opted to set up an outdoor kitchen next to your RV doesn’t mean that you should forego luxury items, especially ones that make your life easy!
No one wants bland food, and the thought of running in and out every time you need paper towel seems inconvenient, so consider purchasing a combined rack that will hold all your important spices as well as a roll of paper towel, making everything far more convenient for whoever is cooking.
Makes sure to get a rack that won’t damage the outside of your camper at all, you don’t want anything with screws.
This spice rack for example comes with suction cups, so you can simply stick it to whichever surface you prefer.
Sturdy Camping Dishes
Camping is meant to be stress-free and simple, so the last thing you need is to be worrying about your best dishes being dropped outside and the mess it is likely to cause.
Instead go for sturdy plates and dishes that, even when dropped, won’t break!
Stainless steel camping dishes are perfect because, not only are they never going to break, they are also easy to clean and often come in easy-to-pack sets which include sturdy cups as well meaning that they are space saving as well.
And, by using these you will have less waste compared to using paper, plastic, or styrofoam plates and cups.
So choosing a good set of camping dishes can save you money and be less waste for the environment!
Glassware
While stainless cups are perfect for the kids or for having a drink of water, if you feel like having an adult beverage you may not want to drink it out of a stainless steel cup.
But you need something you can drink your wine out of that doesn’t break easily, right?
No problem! There are plenty of options to consider.
You could go for the traditional (plastic) stemmed wine glasses, or if you don’t need the stemmed look you could choose an unbreakable stemless glass.
Not a fan of plastic?
You could try a squishy silicone wine glass, or if you want to keep with the stainless steel theme you could always go with stainless steel wine tumblers.
These of course aren’t only for wine, you can use them for any of your favorite camping drinks!
Outdoor Sink
Ok, this may be a taking the whole outdoor living to the extreme, but if you are going to set up an RV outdoor kitchen why not invest in an outdoor sink as well?
It means less trips of walking dirty pots, pans and utensils into the RV to wash.
For those that love convenience, an outdoor sink is really not optional and there are now many to choose from.
You can opt for the simple yet effective, collapsible sink which is ideal if storage space is tight.
Or, if you have more room, why not invest in an outdoor washing table with dual sinks?
This would be an awesome addition to an outdoor camping kitchen!
Berkey Water Filter
The Berkey water filter is definitely an investment, but clean water is essential!
And sadly, most water is far from clean 🙁
There are many good water filters out there, but if you want a portable water filter that is known for good quality and fresh, clean water, then a berkey water filter is a great choice.
Bonus- you can buy a Berkey water filter for your home and just take it with you when you go!
Good Knife Set
Every good chef needs a proper set of knives in order to do a good job, so why not invest in a set of good quality knives that come complete with a protective case that you can simply pick up and add to your camping equipment whenever you choose.
This may not seem like a necessity, and it probably isn’t, but it’s definitely going to make preparing and eating so much easier! If you’ve ever used an old, dull knife you know just what I mean.
Oven Gloves
One thing all campers tend to forget is a set of oven gloves.
For some reason, even though we use them all the time at home, it is easy to forget this must-have accessory.
Silicone gloves can be used both indoors and outside so they are multi-functional.
If you’re looking for silicone oven mitts, check out this set. It comes with pot holders, non-slip gloves, and little hand clips.
Just toss these in your RV so they’re ready for your next camping trip. I promise you won’t be sorry!
RV Outdoor Kitchen Safety Tips
For those of us that go camping or RV’ing, there is nothing better than cooking and eating outside, but there are a few safety tips to keep in mind:
- keep all flammable objects away from fire (I know that seems silly to remind you of, but sometimes we forget, set something down, or get too close and before you know it, you or something else is on fire!)
be sure your cooking area a safe distance from your RV - never use any unapproved chemical to start your fire if cooking over a campfire
- be sure young children are supervised at all times, especially around fire pits and hot grills
- never have a campfire on a concrete slab without knowing if it is fire safe concrete or using some kind of fire protection underneath (concrete that is heated to a high enough temperature can actually crack and sometimes explode!)
Now that you have an idea of how to stock your RV outdoor kitchen- get out there, eat some delicious food, make great memories, and be safe!
Happy Camping!
